This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

'Chantons! A Musical Tribute to France' at WAMS

The Waterbury Arts Magnet School (WAMS) Music Department presented their spring choral concert on Tuesday at the Palace Theater next door to their campus. Chantons! A Musical Tribute to France featured the High School Chorus, the High School Voice Class, the Middle School Chorus and the Middle School Select Choir. Admission to the hour-long concert was free and parents, siblings and friends came to listen to their talented students perform.    

Principal Leo P. Lavallee took to the stage to welcome the audience in French. He also announced that this summer the music department will begin to plan a European tour for some of the music students in two to three years. Students in the current freshman and sophomore classes will most likely be taking this trip.    

The Middle School Chorus opened the show under the direction of Marianna Vagnini Dadamo and accompanied by co-director Rami Haxhi on piano. The students sang "Count On Me" by Mars, Levine & Lawrence and arranged by Janet Day. Selections from the very French Beauty and the Beast by Menken and Ashman. Featured soloist included Edward Antigua, Aliza Caban, Madison Sumpf, Sydney Yargeau and Brandon White. "Let It Grow" from The Lorax arranged by Alan Billingsley featured solos by Nera Cambrelen, Eduardo Huertas, Brandon White, Emily Fonseca and the MS Select Choir.    

The High School Voice I and II Class opened with the Glee arrangement of "Shake It Out" and "Someone Like You" featuring a solo by Danasia Walton. The Middle School Select Choir meets after school to rehearse and performed "Dream A Dream" based on the Pavane by Gabriel Faure and Handel's "Cantate Deo" (from the Water Music Suite.) The latter piece was made even more special by a trumpet solo by Principal Leo Lavallee.    

The final group to perform was the large High School Chorus who were directed by Mrs. Vagnini while Mr. Haxhi accompanied them on piano. Looking smart in the long black dresses on the girls and white shirts and bow ties on the boys, these students opened their program with "Cantique de Jean Racine" by Gabriel Faure and arranged by John Rutter, sung completely in French. When soprano Olivia Conforti stepped to the microphone, her fans in the audience cheered. Backed by the entire Chorus, this talented soloist performed Bizet's "Habanera" from the opera Carmen. The concert closed with a beautiful medley from Les Miserables with a slew of soloist. These students included many of the WAMS students seen in their theatrical productions. It was a pleasure to listen to Alexa Campagna, Isaac Hutchinson, Wilmer Gonzalez, Bailey Cummings, Zach Carter, Alizae Powell, Emily Pierce, Nolan Cummings, Ron Boulanger, Noemi Meca and Alyanna Gonzalez.    

During her remarks, Mrs. Vagnini sincerely thanked the parents in the audience for sending their students to WAMS. Concerts like this remind us why we do so.    

The concert poster was designed by WAMS student Maggie Lee.

Click here to watch a student-produced video about WAMS.

The WAMS Instrumental Concert is Tuesday June 11 at the Palace Theater. Admission is free.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

Patch Mayors are trusted local users who help moderate the Patch platform by promoting good local stories and flagging unwanted content. To learn more, click here.